OKEECHOBEE — After a traffic accident in the parking lot of Garrard’s Bait and Tackle shop, a Tampa man was arrested. On Sunday, May 30 at approximately 2 p.m., Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Deputies Horace Nicholson and Matthew Huffman responded to the scene of the accident.

Nicholson spoke to both the driver and passenger of a minivan involved in the crash. Neither could produce a driver’s license but identified themselves to the deputy. The passenger, Kevin Jurick, reportedly had outstanding warrants for violation of probation on drug and weapons charges and was placed under arrest.

Nicholson spoke with a witness who told him he was inside the store when he heard a crash. He and a friend ran out to see what happened and saw the minivan backing out as if to leave. The friend approached the van and told the driver to park.

The store supplied access to video surveillance and the video reportedly showed the minivan slow down as it approached a chain link fence but then speed up and hit it.

According to the arrest report, Jurick was asked multiple times if he had anything illegal in his possession, and he said no. But, when Nicholson searched him, he found a syringe in Jurick’s pocket.

Because Jurick appeared in need of medical treatment, he was transported to Raulerson Hospital. After his release, he was transported to the county jail. Nicholson notes he again asked Jurick if he had any illegal narcotics on him but was told he did not. However, when Jurick got out of the vehicle, the deputy found clear bags pushed up against the partition of his car. One bag contained 4 grams methamphetamine. A second contained Diazepam pills.

Jurick was charged with introducing contraband into a detention facility, possession of methamphetamine and possession of a controlled substance without a prescription. Bond for these charges was set at $15,000, but he is being held without bond on the violation of probation charges.